The Swing Shift Shuffle is a radio program of swing, big band, jazz, boogie woogie and other popular music from the 1930's and 40's that airs every Wednesday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. (US Central Time) on WEVL 89.9 FM in Memphis, Tennessee, with a live webcast at wevl.org. In addition to the radio show, this blog is dedicated to all aspects of the Swing Era, including art, automobiles, cartoons, comics, history, movies, music, news, science, technology, and anything else that happened during that time. It also includes announcements about events in the Memphis/Mid-South area related to the Swing Era, such as classic movies, concerts, dances, lectures, etc. If you see something that fits the description, send it to me at tim@wevl.org. If you would like more information about the radio show, just go to the Radio Show FAQ page.

Thursday, July 19, 2018

WEVL FM 89.9, home of the Swing Shift Shuffle, will be hosting its 30th Annual Blues on the Bluff concert this Saturday night, July 21, on the grounds of the Metal Museum overlooking the Mighty Mississippi River. There will be craft beer, wine and non-alcoholic drinks sold, as well as award-winning BBQ from the Central BBQ Food Truck. Memphis Made Brewing will be brewing a special Blues on the Bluff® Craft Beer. Our silent auction continues, with items from local artists and businesses, and WEVL merchandise will also be available. There is free guarded parking. Come enjoy the giant shady oaks, cool river breeze, smell of BBQ, fantastic music, and absolutely the best view of the Mississippi in the entire mid-south! Advance online discounted ticket sales end midnight Friday. Hope to see you there!

Friday, July 13, 2018

Here is another partial Fantasia parody from Warner Bros. Set to the music of Johannes Brahms' Hungarian Dances, this short retells the fairy tale of the Three Little Pigs. From the 8th Man DVD channel on YouTube, here is the 1942 cartoon, Pigs In A Polka.

Happy Fourth of July! Join me tonight for the Swing Shift Shuffle Independence Day Special! We'll be playing great patriotic music from the Swing Era. Tune in before the fireworks start, and please remember to be safe!

Monday, July 2, 2018

I read the comics section of the newspaper first every morning. It is a nice way to brace myself for the news. I would like to send a shout out to Tom Batuik & Dan Davis, creators of Crankshaft, for their prominent feature of a 1930's song in today's strip. Specifically, the character of Ralph Meckler is listening to "I Can't Get Started With You" while ordering a burger, fries and chocolate malted from a carhop, who apparently does not know what a chocolate malted is. Years ago, the strip revealed that Ralph had a chance to play with Bunny Berigan's band, so that song is certainly appropriate.